Milan is for cool cats, and boy, does this city deliver in terms of all that's hip and happening. Take to people-watching at the very trendy Caruso café, in one of Milan's most fashionable piazzas if you fancy something altogether more arty and less farty, by all means take a trip to Diana's Garden, an art deco sort of place with cocktails and coolness aplenty.

If theatre is more up your street, then you could always pop into Boccascena Café after a rendition of a classic at the nearby Teatro Litta. For the more fanciful, many other bars populate and pander to most needs, from hippy to British (but really, why would you?) to state-of-the-art bars. And for those of you worried about studying, fear not—many good universities surround this city, including the reputable Università degli Studi di Milano and Università Bocconi amongst many others...

After all that reading and shopping, some sightseeing might be of interest and Milan has some impressive art collections and some buildings that have been through the ages (and the wars). Check out the Palazzo Reale, an international pit stop for many (part Visconti villa, part Spanish hacienda, part palace and target for World War II bombings...), it holds some bold art collections, from photography to Renaissance paintings.

The Spazio Oberdan offers the best of both art and cinema, holding an art-house cinema downstairs and a contemporary art collection upstairs, featuring some Hirst and Kentridge, as well as many other avant-garde artists. The Triennale di Milano will also have your heart beating a little faster, with superb exhibitions that touch upon art, design, architecture and popular culture. But Italy being Italy, year abroaders can't go amiss without indulging in some hearty food (even supermodels have been known to 'pick' at other people's plates)—and with good reason, for Milan has some particularly good eateries scattered about, that range from the typical Northern dishes to more experimental platters. Take your pick at any given restaurant or bar, and have a dab or two at the antipasti.

Milan is, without a shadow of a doubt, a city that boasts modernity and glamour at its very, very best—a good place to start (and carry on, and finish) for any year abroader who knows their D&G from their G&T!

You'll be overwhelmed by the amount of art to be found in this haven of a city, just like Stendhal (who had 'art blindness' syndrome named after him!), Chaucer and E. M. Forster were. You cannot afford to miss the great Galleria degli Uffizi, simply one of the finest art museums in the world, showcasing 15 rooms of some of the greatest masterpieces known to mankind (but be warned: book in advance or pay €40 to become an annual member of the Amici degli Uffizi to cleverly avoid 3 hour-long queues...).

The Medici family, possibly one of history's most powerful and revolutionary dynasties, left its mark all across the city, most obviously on buildings, architectural style and patronage of artists. Plan a visit to their Palazzo Pitti to take in some of the many marvels that are on show. After taking in so much art and power, you might want to picnic in the Boboli Gardens behind, laid out in a gorgeous Mannerist and Baroque style (including fountains, statues and a stunning view over the city - enter via the back entrance further south down Via Guicciardini to avoid initial queues).

Florence being Florence, its people have been known to indulge in some serious gelato between a Botticelli and a Michelangelo, and trust us, you'd be a fool to miss out on the many different flavours of sorbet and ice-cream that abound (pear, profiterole, grappa and pomegranate are just a few of the exciting options on offer at Vivoli Gelateria). You'll be happy to hear that Florence still holds an important place in the world of academia, with its home university as well as many art schools on offer.

The British Institute offers drawing, cooking, history of art and Italian courses to all, and it might even prove very useful indeed when the parentals come down for a wee visit, if you're at a loss of what to do. The nightlife here caters to all tastes and styles, ranging from refined restaurants to slick bars, through to the altogether more seedy haunts. A city that is literally bursting with flavours, history, art and influence, all within walking distance from each other. The perfect place for anyone interested in Renaissance Italy!